By Nnanna Okere Special Correspondent, Helsinki
The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), commonly known as drones, has multiplied and applications are being developed at a frantic pace.
Finnish developers hope to cash in with drones adapted to Nordic conditions and designed for a variety of purposes.
Drones are used the world over for missions that are too dull, dirty, or dangerous for manned aircraft.
They are mostly found in military and special operation applications, although civil and recreational uses are increasingly being developed.
The Finnish Board Guard has introduced them to help secure the borders and have also proved handy for surveillance.
Drones supplement traditional security cameras, in that they make it easy to “peek around the corner” if movement is detected.
Several Finnish companies promote the use of drones for observing and maintaining electricity and power lines, as well as terrain mapping.
The United States pioneered the transport of packages by drone.
Others are exploring its use in emergency situations, aerial firefighting, and design of housing complexes.
In the future, drones may be used for other tasks, including food production.
“The latest novelty is using microdrones for pollination in areas where bees are scarce. Another new idea is to develop drones that can both go underwater and fly,” says Jari Lahti of the Finnish Aeronautical Association.
Potential for good and bad
Model enthusiast, Tuomas Laatikainen, from Kajaani, predicts that drones will revolutionise package delivery within 10 years.
“There are many situations in which they can be used, bad ones, too.
“There are American news reports daily about the fear that they will be subject to a drone bomb attack. It is definitely one of the most worrying features of UAVs,” he says.
Lahti adds: “Sure, you can use them for an evil purpose, just like with a gun. They are a tool that can be used for a variety of reasons.”
Easier to fly, and cheaper
Laatikainen disclosed that “I’ve had UAVs that cost 100 euros or less, but you really have to be skilled to keep them in the air.
“The newer models rise into the air by design and stay there, so you don’t have to use so much effort. They are much better automated and easier to fly.”
Commercial drones and their applications are set to become the next big export product for many Finnish companies.
Tekes, the Finnish Funding Agency for Innovation, has opened an UAV unmanned aircraft testing centre in the southern city of Mikkeli, and the first drones are expected for assessment.
The surrounding areas of South Savo and Southern Karelia provide plenty of open skies for extensive tests.
Tekes is confident UAVs will change the way the world does business and is pumping money into the industry.
Changing the world
Sharper Shape is quickly becoming a world leader in UAV-based automated inspection of power lines and natural gas and oil pipelines.
The company, based in Espoo, has offices in California and North Dakota in the United States. New projects are underway in India, France, Mexico, and Belgium.
GoParking, a project from the Pohjonen Group, is making inroads in surveillance.
A parking garage in Tuusula is being fitted with a shelter for drone that will be activated when motion sensors pick up unexpected movement.
“The security company can watch the drone’s image, register that someone is in the area, and send a guard to check it out,” says GoParking’s Operative Director, Jesse Paananen.
An infrared camera on the drone enables it to capture images even at night.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Teemu Pohjonen, says a drone can capture images at angles and go around buildings, something stationary cameras cannot do.
Terrain mapping in Europe
Arbonaut in the city of Joensuu is making a name for itself in the field of forest inventory and natural resource management with its drone-assisted laser scanning of terrains.
“Monitoring and measuring technology is getting cheaper all the time and this creates new opportunities,” CEO Tuomo Kauranne says.
The European Union (EU) estimates that there are over 2,500 companies in the UAV industry in Europe, and that turnover will increase 20 per cent this year.
Finnish technological know-how is its arctic specialisation.
“In terms of weather durability, we definitely stand out from the others. Our drones work in minus 30 degrees Celsius and they can be washed off easily with normal water from a garden hose,” Pohjonen says.
• Culled from Yle
